Leaking Through Diapers at Night- Help!

Updated on October 19, 2008
H.P. asks from San Diego, CA
60 answers

I have a 7 month old boy who is leaking through his diaper every night. I have even tried waking him up to change his diaper halfway through the night, but it still happens. He is an amazing sleeper and sleeps about 12 hours every night. How can I help him be able to sleep through the night without being awaken by me changing his diaper, his pj's and his crib sheets!? Is there a solution?

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J.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

I am a die hard pampers person BUT Huggies OVERNIGHTS are the absolute best for nightime!!! AND go up a size from what you normally use.

1 mom found this helpful
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P.W.

answers from Las Vegas on

Walmart, drugstores etc sell these PADS (in the DEPENDS adult diaper area) that stick into the actual diaper. I also have the same prob with my 88 year old Dad. I load up his diaper with these pads. I use 2-3 and it is so far working much better. Good Luck.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

I think you just need a different size. They leak if they're too big, AND if they're too small. Those packages always say some ridiculous huge span of weight, like 12 to 25, it's about the middle when they really fit right. Or switch brands. I liked Pampers best. Huggies were too low-cut, the cheap kinds were always too bulky.

1 mom found this helpful

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S.C.

answers from San Diego on

Hey H.,
We had the same issue with our little boy. He would leak every night and I had to keep changing him in the middle of the night instead of sleeping. We bought (for about a dollar) vinyl/plastic diaper covers at Babies R Us. They are used for babies that wear cloth diapers. We would just put the over our son's diaper right before bed. We also switched to an overnight brand called "Mom to Mom- extra absorbent so they don't wake". Huggies leaked the most for us. Pampers were okay. Our son still wears pampers during the day, we just put the overnight one on with his plastic pants before bed and he hasn't leaked since! But, he was real full in the morning until he got big enough for another size. Hope that helps!

2 moms found this helpful
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B.R.

answers from San Diego on

We use things called diaper doublers because we were having the same problem with our son. We buy them at babies r us and they are fantastic, no problems since using them. The brand is actually diaper doublers. The only other thing that sometimes worked was using huggies night time diapers.

2 moms found this helpful
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S.G.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi
I use the diaper doublers from Stater Bros too. They work great. You could also add some plastic diaper covers if it is really bad
good luck

1 mom found this helpful
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N.W.

answers from Los Angeles on

My son did this every once in a while too. I would buy a diaper two sizes too big
and put on the regular one and than the bigger one on the outside. Looks silly, but it worked. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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L.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

He may need the next size up. Leaking was always my cue that we were ready for the bigger diaper.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.G.

answers from San Diego on

have you tried going up in a size at night? I always found that when my kids started to leak at night, it was time to go up in a size. I have tried the nighttime diapers, and they seemed to work well, too. another suggestion is with my daughter, she always would leak through the huggies/kirkland diapers so I put her in pampers at night.

good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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S.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

have you tried a bigger size? My 15 month old girl is in a three, but at might I put her in a four. I use ant brand like huggies, pampers and luvs, and it didnt matter, I had to put her in a bigger size at night. she never leeks at night now. Good luck.
S.

1 mom found this helpful

H.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

For a while my baby leaked until we went the next size up- then all was great (we use huggies).

1 mom found this helpful
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J.D.

answers from San Diego on

I used the doublers and they work great. They are only about 3.99 for almost a monthes supply. you can get them at any grocery store. I got mine at stator brothers. It is a big like maxi pad but they work great and are cheaper than buying 2 different kinds of diapers.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.F.

answers from San Diego on

I have been dealing with this with my 8 month old as well and it started about a month ago. I went up to the next sized diaper for night-time. I have used Huggies and Luvs and both worked for the most part. I have a friend that suggested getting the plastic pants diaper cover but I haven't looked for any since the bigger sized diaper is working out.

1 mom found this helpful
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Y.K.

answers from Los Angeles on

You might want to make sure the diapers you're using aren't too small. When our son started leaking consistently during the night, we thought his diapers might be too small; we went to the next size and the leaking stopped. My husband was sad when we graduated to the next size because it meant our son was growing up and wasn't going to stay a baby forever. And as our son grew, so did the amount of pee coming out of him. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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D.D.

answers from Phoenix on

my sister uses huggies snug & dry at night and says they work great!

1 mom found this helpful
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E.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

Same problem and went up a size also worked everytime.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

You could get a plastic diaper cover (the kind used with cloth diapers) and put it over his diaper. He'll still soak his diaper but it won't leak through to his jammies/bed.

M.

1 mom found this helpful
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E.N.

answers from San Diego on

I don't have time to read all of your responses, so I don't know if anyone has recommended the Huggies Overnights, yet. I heard a lot of moms saying they were great, so I tried them out. They are definitely more absorbent than the regulars, but it didn't seem like a whole lot more. But it may be worth a try! I also used re-usable inserts (from my cloth diapers) in the diaper at night because I have super-soakers, too.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.J.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi H.,

Size up! My kids are both small and it always seemed like their bladder outgrew their diaper before their body size did. Just about the time it looked like their body was actually starting to fit into the diaper is about the time it would start leaking. As soon as I sized up, no leaks!

You may find that the current size is good for days and just put the bigger size in his bedroom for night time.

Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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L.T.

answers from San Diego on

You can buy disposable "diaper doublers" in places like Babies-R-Us.

1 mom found this helpful
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B.B.

answers from San Diego on

We had the same problem. Go up one size and for nighttime, try Pampers Baby Dry. It can withstand a full 13 hours with no leakage.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.K.

answers from San Diego on

We had the same issue with our daughter and bought pamper Baby Dry diapers just for night. Not one leak since!! They are heavy duty and worth the money :)

1 mom found this helpful
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K.K.

answers from Reno on

Maybe change your brand. My 5 month old daughter leaks through the Pampers. We use Huggies Snug and Dry and she's only leaked through once. I have heard though that what works best for girls doesn't always work best for boys.

1 mom found this helpful
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T.R.

answers from San Diego on

Someone might have suggested this already, but I didn't read all the responses. Huggies overnights are great, but my son still leaked through them as well. So I went to Diaper Doublers and they are awesome. They used to sell them at Vons but have since discontinued them. I bought a case online (which seemed like a lot, but I am on my last pack of 30 and considering buying more). This was the solution for me. Hope it works for you.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.P.

answers from San Diego on

I solved that problem by going up a size in diapers, at least at night...it really helps!

1 mom found this helpful
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A.N.

answers from Los Angeles on

Nighttime leaks are the first sign that you should move up a size in diapers. You could also try out a diaper designed just for overnight (Huggies Overnights work great!) Try to limit the amount of luquids within the last hour before bed. If he goes to sleep with a bottle try giving him a smaller bottle to see if it helps. And if all else fails buy diaper doublers. They are extra absorbant liners that you can slip inside of any diaper to practically double the absorbancy. They run about $4 for a 20 pack. I've found them at Stater Bros & Babies 'R Us. Good Luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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D.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

I've been using Huggies Nighttime diapers since my son was this age...they do the trick pretty well.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.E.

answers from Los Angeles on

I use Huggies. The ones in the white pack with red writing. Not the ones in the red pack with white writing. Those are the only ones that do not leak for us.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.K.

answers from Los Angeles on

i didn't read the other posts so maybe someone has already made this suggestion but try going up one diaper size. that helped a lot for my 7 month old daughter. she still wakes up at night for a feeding so i have an opportunity to change her but i usually don't need to. another thing you might try is to hold off on the liquids for the 2 hours before bedtime. if he's still breast feeding or on formula, that might be hard to do. good luck!
M.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.L.

answers from San Diego on

Sounds like it's time to go up to the next size. That's what worked for us. We couldn't figure out why he was wetting through them but only while he slept. They still fit fine but as soon as we put the next size on it stopped.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi H.,
My daughter used to leak during the night too! I ended up
getting the next size up diaper for her to wear at night.
The bigger sizes hold more pee. Hope this helps!
Corinn

1 mom found this helpful
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K.T.

answers from Los Angeles on

I don't think you can make him not pee pee during the night. I have had this problem and have to use Huggies Night time diapers every night. It seems to be the only thing that works. OR maybe try a diaper 1 size larger for night time. That sometimes helps. Luvs work well for night time too.

1 mom found this helpful
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R.P.

answers from Los Angeles on

We were having the same problem with our son, but we switched to the Huggies Overnite diapers and he hasn't leaked since. Give them a try, they're more absorbent than regular diapers.

1 mom found this helpful
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R.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

I swiched from Huggies to Kirkand (from Costco) for my son When he was about 10 months old, due to him leaking everynight (he had also become allergic to Pampers). It was suggested to me by another mom. I LOVE kirland diapers. They fit better, they are softer, they don't leak and they are cheaper!

1 mom found this helpful
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W.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

Huggies makes an overnight diaper of to a size 5! THey work great... Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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D.C.

answers from Las Vegas on

I tried huggies and luvs with my kids and both of them leaked.. I went to pampers swadlers and then cruisers and never had another leak... good luck..

1 mom found this helpful
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S.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

Try Huggies Overnights. Target sometimes has them, as does Walmart and if you can't find them elsewhere, Babies r Us also carries them (more expensive). They are great. They come in all sizes and work for a 12 hour overnight sleep, which means more sleep for you and for baby. I think in using them for the past 14 months, she may have leaked 3 times. NOT bad, in my opinion. Good luck!!

1 mom found this helpful
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J.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

Without reading all the other responses, my suggestion is to move up one diaper size and try Huggies Overnights of Diaper Doubler inserts. I had the same problem with my son and the Huggies Overnights worked fabulously. I know they come in size 4 and 5, but not sure of other sizes. The Diaper Doublers you can get at Babies R Us. Good Luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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L.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

You have had so much good advice to ponder already, but I just wanted to toss in my two cents of frustration with diapers too with you. I had the same problems with my son and tried all kinds of diapers to save money. The cheaper ones, Target, Kirkland, Sav-on etc didn't work well at all for my son, all of them constantly leaked. Huggies even leaked for him. The only diaper that works are Pampers unfortunately. Pampers also really helped in keeping diaper rashes at bay I must admit.

Good luck!

L. H.
Costa Mesa

1 mom found this helpful
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M.Z.

answers from Reno on

Try going up a size. That's what I did for my kids and it works. Your son might be starting to grow out of the size he's in. Also with my son who is in pull ups at night I have to use the night time design. The day wear he soaks through with just 1 accident. Maybe you should try those or the Huggies night time.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.L.

answers from San Diego on

Hi H. they the old fashioned plastic pants. J. L.

1 mom found this helpful
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G.F.

answers from San Diego on

What diapers is he using? My daughter was using Huggies and she leaked constantly! Try Pampers or Luvs. Also, make sure the ruffles around the legs are out. Sometimes that helps. And to be sure, you can limit his liquids for 3 hours before bedtime. I hope this helps!

1 mom found this helpful
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C.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

This happened to us too...at first we tried 2 diapers, which definitely worked. But then we tried the next size up diaper...seemed a little big at first, but worked like a charm!

1 mom found this helpful
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A.C.

answers from San Diego on

My son's diaper leaked a lot! (My daughter's doesn't.) We used "nighttime" diapers at night, but they might be too big for a 7-month-old... Make sure to point his pee-pee down. The best diapers that I could find with the best leak protection were the Target brand diapers - try those. If you still get leaks, have the bed made twice so that you can just take off the wet sheet and waterproof pad and have a dry one underneath - a little easier.
Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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L.O.

answers from San Luis Obispo on

We've used Huggies Overnight diapers for both our boys and have eliminated the leaks. It's such a relief!

1 mom found this helpful
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K.O.

answers from San Diego on

We use Baby Dry by Pampers and I get one pack a size bigger than he wears during the day - you have to turn the top in front and back under and sinch them tight, but we've found the bigger size gives more sleep time
Good Luck

1 mom found this helpful
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S.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

I've heard that putting easy ups or pull ups over the diaper at night does the trick. Keep me posted!

1 mom found this helpful
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J.D.

answers from Reno on

Get some Huggies Overnights. They work like a charm!

1 mom found this helpful
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R.B.

answers from San Diego on

I had the same problem with my daughter who is now 13 months. Huggies overnites are the only thing I use at night. Any other diaper will leak and she will wake up in a puddle! They are a little stiff, but they work! I use to change her in the middle of the night as well but now I put one overnite diaper on and she is fine until morning. Good luck.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

When our son was doing that, we ended up switching him to a larger size diaper just for sleeping and it worked. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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G.E.

answers from Los Angeles on

double diaper= diaper + pull up over the top-worked for us-may work for you!

1 mom found this helpful
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S.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

I see alot of sugestions about switching to huggies, but they DID NOT work for us. The only brand that works for us is pampers cruisers now. It was pampers swadlers when he was younger. Even the pampers baby dry didn't work for us. I would try pampers cruisers if you haven't already.

1 mom found this helpful
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R.L.

answers from San Diego on

If going up a size doesn't make a difference, try double diapering at night. For a period of time I had to double diaper my little guy. You take two diapers and cut a small hole, maybe 2 in x 2 in, in one of them. Put the diaper with the whole inside the diaper without the hole. Diaper baby with these two diapers. Worked wonders for me :)

1 mom found this helpful
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A.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

Buy Doublers, Doublers are designed like sanitary pads that fits inside the diaper to hold more pee through the night, in addition to keeping the moisture away from the baby. I work as a baby nurse and use them frequently once the baby starts sleeping through.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

I know this might sound weird but I actually put two diapers on my 8 month old at night. Works perfectly, he never leaks out and he can go through the whole night without a change.

1 mom found this helpful
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H.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

If you point his "weenie" down rather than up when you put his diaper on at night that usually helps...sounds silly, but it works! :)

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K.P.

answers from Los Angeles on

my son did the same thing. You can try huggies brand overnighter diapers because they absorb a lot more. Or they sell something called diaper doublers that you slip into their regular diaper at bedtime. Its like a big maxi pad. I prefer the overnighters because the doublers seem bulky to me but I've used both. Still do. My son is now 2 and not potty trained. Hope this helps.

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K.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

When this happened with my boys, at night I put a diaper 1 size larger then what they usually wore and made sure the you know what was pointing down.

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L.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi, I had the same problem when my son hit that age. We bought him the Huggies Night Time diapers. We could only find size 4, which technically is too big for him, but we strapped those on and he's woke up dry every morning since. Those diapers hold A LOT!

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A.T.

answers from Los Angeles on

Oh H. i remember my son at that age did the same thing!! unfortunitly i had to change him about 3 times in the middle of the night!! But you can do the plastic or rubber pants, that will keep your sheets and his jammies dry. Also make sure he doesn't need a bigger diaper. I even went as far as testing the diapers with water to see how much each brand held! At the time it was pampers but that was 4 years ago. I hope this helps you. Good luck with your little man.

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